Gravity-controlled valve.



H. S. HALL` GRAVITY coNTRoLLED vALvE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I9.y 1917.

1,236, L l Patented Aug. 7, 1917.

LE L 1"-T` 7 Jl v "I n lull 1.a 3 1 e l 1;?

A TTU/MIE Y HERBERT SPENCER HALL, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

GRAVlTY-CONTROLLED VALVE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 7, 191i?.

Application iled February 19, 1917. Serial No. 149,396. Y

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, HERBERT SPENCER HALL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented a new and improved Gravity- Controlled Valve, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to devices for automatically regulating the supply of air to the intake manifold of internal combustion engines.

The main object of my invention is to make engines of the character described, as used on road vehicles, more efficient in operation and at the same time effect a saving in fuel consumption; and I accomplish this by means of a simple, inexpensive and posi tively operable air intake valve attached to the intake manifold intermediate the carbureter and the cylinders and so controlled by gravity that it will be closed or open accordingly as the vehicle is going up grade or traveling along a level stretch of road. Thus, the operation of the valve is automatically regulated by the ever changing road conditions and the results are, viz., that when an automobile or other power driven vehicle equipped with my device is moving over a level stretch of road, or going down grade, there is provided an auxiliary air supply which added to the mixture supplied by the carbureter furnishes a very lean mixture of the explosive charge and thus increases the actual mileage obtained from each gallon of gasolene by reducing its consumption; and when such a vehicle is on an up grade, at which time more power is required of the engine, the auxiliary air supply is shut off to permit a richer mixture of the explosive charge being drawn into the cylinders.

Another object of the invention is to provide a positive adjustment for regulating the size of the air passage, and when this has been properly made according to the particular requirements of the engine to which the valve is attached the results will be not only a saving of fuel but greater power, more iexibility and more efficiency of the engine will be obtained.

Another object of the invention is to so construct a device of the character and for the purpose described that it may be used as a primer and, also, as a means through which oil or water, when the engine is running and the machine stationary, can be drawn into the cylinders to cleanse them of carbon.

'A final object of the invention is to provide a spring actuated means for closing the valve against the intake of air while the engine is being cranked, thus permitting a rich mixture being drawn directly from the carbureter, but which will be automatically opened and held open by the suction through the valve when the engine is running.

The invention will first be described and will then be particularly defined in the claims hereinafter set forth.

The accompanying drawings illustrating the invention are as follows Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device with parts thereof shown in section as along the line -y of Fig. 2; Fig. 2, a side elevation from the right, with respect to Fig. l, but with the casing shown in verticalV central section and with other parts broken away to show details of construction; and Fig. 3, a sectional plan View as taken along the line l--g/l of Fig. 2. The actual size of the valve is, preferably, about one half that in which it is shown in the drawings.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The numeral l indicates a fragmentary wall portion of the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine, and in this wall portion is an aperture tapped to receive the threaded outer end Q, of a supporting stem or arm 3 having an externally threaded head member 4: formed integrally therewith and from which the arm extends at right angles. This head member is provided, intermediate the threaded portion and the arm 3, with a shoulder 5 and on its upper face with a centrally disposed transverse rib 6 extending parallel with the arm 3; while on the arm there is formed a bolt head 7 adapted to be engaged by a suitable wrench for screwing the threaded end 2 of the arm into the manifold.

Extending vertically through the head 4 and its rib member 6 is an opening 8 terminating at its lower end in an opening 9, preferably of like diameter, extending from end to end through the arm 3 and threaded at its end nearest the opening 8 to receive the aperture adjusting screw 10.

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Extending horizontally through the rib member 6 at points equidistant from its center, longitudinally, are apertures adapted to receive the feet 11 of the lower sections 12 of the frame for supporting the swing or valve closure member 13. These sections are formed of wire and are threaded at their upper ends into the right and left hand` internally threaded coupling' sleeves 111 into which are also threaded the lower ends of the side arms 15 of the upper section of such supporting frame. This upper section is formed in the manner shown in F ig. 2 with a central horizontal portion 16 and ears 17.

The mechanism just above described is inclosed within a tubular cap or casing 18 threaded over the head member et with its lower end abutting the shoulder 5. 1n the end wall of the casing and directly above the opening 8 in the head 4: is a short piece of tubing 1,9 within which is housed a spring 20 and ball 21, the action of the spring being to hold the ball in position to normally close the opening at the outer end of the tube.

rllhe gravity' controlled member 13 for closing the valve comprises an arm formed of a strip of thin metal pvoted at its upper end on the depressed central portion 16 of the supporting frame and having its lower i and free end 21 bent outwardly at right angles to form a closure for the opening S; and on the outer edge of the part 21 there is formed a downwardly projecting lip or stop member 22. The swing of the member 13 is limited in one direction by the stop 22 engaging the rib. 6 and in the opposite direction by the stop striking the wall of the casing 18, the latter movement occurring when the vehicle is on a down grade. Lateral movement of the swinging member is prevented by the ear portions 17 of the supporting frame.

` Then the valve is properly attached to a manifold it should be in a truly veitical position and' the relative position of the gravity controlled member 13 to the opening 8 will be that in which it is shown in section in Fig. 1. Then, when the vehicle is on an up grade and traveling in the direction indicated by the arrow .ethe valve will be inclined to the left and the relative position of the member 13 to the opening 8 will be that in which it is shown in dotted lines at 27. Any tendency of the member 13 to oscillate owing to the vibration of the engine may be overcome by braking means such as the torsional spring 23 secured to and extending between the ears 17 with the several coils thereof bearing but slightly against the pivoted end of the member 13. Such a spring effects a drag on the swing member but not enough to interfere with its proper gravitation. At 241 is seen a ball weight threaded on a pin 25 extending from the member 13 near its lower end in the opposite direction from that of the part 21 and comprises an adjustable counter balance for such member.

1n order that the member 13 will swing freely, there must necessarily be a slight clearance between the part 21 and the rib 6, and this can be regulated by making the side arms of the supporting frame adjustable in the manner clearly indicated.

rlhe valve, as assembled in the drawings,

is for attachment to a manifold located on the left side of an automobile engine, that is,-when facing the car from the front. should, however, the manifold be on the opposite side of the engine it would. simply be necessary to unscrew the cap 18, remove the supporting frame member and replace it with the feet 11 engaging through the apertures therefor from the opposite side of the rib 6.

No two engines being alike as to age, condition, bore and adjustment, it is necessary that each valve, in order to perform its proper function, be adjusted after due trial has been made to permit just the required amount of air being drawn therethrough; and for this reason 1 make use ofthe adjusting screw 10 which regulates the size of the air passage at the juncture of the apertures 8 and 9. The screw is preferably made of such a length that it will never under any condition of adjustment entirely shut off the air passage.

lNhen the engine is running, the suction will draw the ball 28 down against the ac tion of the spring 2O and air will be drawn into the chamber, formed by the head member Ll and the casing 1S, then through the passage formed by the apertures 8 and 9 to the intake manifold unless the vehicle is en an up grade at which time the opening 8 will be closed, or practically so, by the gravity Controlled member 13. Air thus taken into the manifold will thin the miXture supplied fi'om the carbureter, thus saving gasolene without decrease in engine power, and, furthermore, because of the loca-tion of the valve and the air taken therethrough there will be less suction on the carbureter and a consequent further saving of gasolene.

r[he chamber formed by the construction of the valve body permits the device being used as a primer; and, by attaching a tube (indicated in dotted lines at 26 in Fig. 1) to the member 19 cleansing iiuids for removing carbon from the cylinders may be drawn through the valve into the engine.

\ 1t is believed that from thev foregoing description the construction, operation and several purposes for which a device made in accordance with myl invention is intended are suiliciently clear to call for no further eXpl an ati on.

What I claim is.:

1. A gravity controlled valve comprising,

in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a valve body having a chamber and an air passage communicating therefrom to the manifold, and a swinging member within said chamber pivotally supported at one end and having its free end adapted to close said air passage, such member being caused to occupy its open or closed position by the grade of the road. K

2. A gravitycontrolled valve comprising, in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a valve body having a chamber, an opening therefrom to the atmosphere and an air passage from the chamber to the manifold, spring actuated means for normally closing said opening and a swinging member within said chamber pivotally supported at one end and having its free end adapted to close said air passage, such member being' caused to occupy its open or closed position by the grade of the road.

3. A gravity controlled valve comprising,

in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a valve body having a chamber, an opening therefrom to the atmosphere and an air passage from the chamber to the manifold, adjustable means for opening said passage to a greater or less degree, and a swinging member Within said chamber pivotally supported at one end and having its free end adapted to close said air passage, such member being caused to occupy its open or closed position by the grade of the road.

4. A gravity controlled valve comprising, in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a valve body having a chamber and an air passage communicating therefrom to the manifold, a supporting frame within said chamber, and a gravity controlled swinging member suspended from said frameand formed at its free end to close said air passage at a time determined by lto the grade of the road.

5. A gravity controlled valve comprising, in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a valve body having a chamber and an air passage communicating therefrom to the manifold, a removable supporting frame within said chamber, and a gravity controlled swinging member suspended from said frame and formed at its free end to close said air passage at times determined by the grade of the road.

6. A gravity controlled valve comprising, in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a head member having an aperture in communication with the manifold, a supporting frame secured to said head, a gravity controlled swinging member suspended from said frame and formed at its free end to close said aperture at times determinedby the grade of the road, and a removable casing on saidI head.

7. A gravity controlled valve comprising, in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a head member having an aperture in communication with the manifold, a sup porting frame detachably secured to said head, a gravity controlled swinging member suspended from said frame and formed at its free end to close said aperture at times determined by the grade of the road, and a removable easing on said head.

8. A gravity controlled valve comprising, in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a head member having an aperture in communication with the manifold, an adjustable supporting frame detachably secured to said head, a gravity controlled swinging member suspended from said frame and formed at its free end to close said aperture at times determined by the grade of the road, and a removable casing on said head.

9. A gravity controlled valve comprising, in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a head member having an aperture in communication with the manifold, a supporting frame on said head, a gravity controlled swinging member suspended from said frame and formed at its free end to close said aperture at times determined by the grade of the road, an adjustable counter balance on said swinging member, means for limiting the swing of such member, and a removable casing on said head.

l0. A gravity controlled valve comprising, in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a head member having an aperture in communication with the manifold, a removable casing on said head, a supporting frame, a gravity controlled swinging member suspended from said frame and formed at its free end to close said a erture at times determined by the grade o the road, and elastic means bearing on said swinging member to prevent oscillation due to vibration of the engine.

11. A gravity controlled valve comprising, in combination with the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, a head member, a rib on said head having horizontal openings therethrough near its ends and an aperture in communication with the manifold, a wire supporting frame having end portions bent at substantially right angles therefrom adapted to engage through said horizontal openings from either side of said rib, a gravity controlled swinging member suspended from said supporting frame and formed at its free end to 'close said aperture at times determined by the grade of the road, and a removable cas* ing on said head.

l2. A gravity controlled valve comprising, in combination With the intake manifold of an internal ycombustion engine on a road vehicle, a head member, a rib on 4said head having horizontal openings there'- through near its ends and an aperture in communication with the manifold, a Wire supporting frame having a depressed central portion and end portions bent at substantially right angles therefrom adapted to engage through said horizontal openings 1om either side of said rib, a gravity oon troll'ed swinging member' suspended from said central portion of the supporting frame and formed at its free end to close said aperture at times determined by the grade ofthe road, means on the swinging member for limiting its movement, and a removable casing on said head.

143; A gravity controlled valve compris ing, in combination With the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine on a road vehicle, an arm -extending from the manifold and a head on said arm, an aperture forming an air passa-ge through both said head and said arm and communicating with the manifold, an adjusting screvv eX- tending into said passage, a supporting frame formed of Wire and detachably secured to said head, a gravity controlled swinging member suspended from said frame and formed at its free end to close said aperture at times 'determined by the grade tlre'road, a removable easing on said h'ead having an aperture in the Wall thereof, and Spring actuated means for normally closing said aperture.

H. SPENCER HALL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, Mby addressing th'e "Commissioner of Patents, Washington, 0; 

